The Pan African Lawyers’ Union (PALU) is condemning an attempt by The Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh to constitute a Supreme Court to hear his electoral petition.

The Union said Monday that the Supreme Court of the Gambia, which is currently not constituted, lost its credibility and legitimacy.

“We strongly condemn the belated attempt by the outgoing President, Mr. Yahya Jammeh, purporting to cancel the election results and giving indications that he would challenge the results in the Supreme Court and or reconstitute the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for purposes of a fresh Presidential election,” the lawyers said as international pressure mount on the long-serving ruler.

Only The Gambia’s electoral chief can annul results and Jammeh’s ten days to petition the results had expired.

The lawyer union is supporting the statements already issued by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) which point out that outgoing President Yahya Jammeh’s actions are a violation of the Constitution and laws of The Republic of The Gambia and demanding him to step down and allow the peaceful transfer of power.

President Yahya Jammeh lost the country’s election and conceded defeat. He made a political u-turn after threats of possible prosecution for crimes against the state and human rights violations became rife.